On 6speedonline.com on the Porsche MB, there was a thread on "how many physicians on here?" thread...that thread went over 10 pages...I think 1/4 of that board were physicians...think % here is much smaller.

So wait..there is a correlation between lucrative professions and expensive autos..Im shocked..

On a serious note I think the percentages on here are much smaller due to the age of most forum member...which is under 30 yrs of age.. this precludes them from having yet attained post graduate degrees including MDs

1. No question that CT surg is a very stressful specialty. Though I no longer do, I practiced cardiac anesthesia at a major academic center for a number of years, so I really do know.

2. "3%"....not really. You have a highly technical skill as a CT surgeon with regards to your ability and knowledge of grafts, valves, and proximal aortic surgery. Your knowledge of cardiopulmonary physiology, however, is the same as an equally competent cardiac anesthesiologist, or invasive cardiologist. We and they have our own technical expertise. Remember, too, that at least on the anesthesia side, most cardiac anesthesiologists also do other stuff.

3. A fellowship trained cardaic anesthesiologist is 5-6 years depending on whether or not a reseach year is involved. Interventional cardiology is 6-7 years including IM residency then fellowship. Last I knew, CT surg was 8-9 years including GS residency. Longer, yes, but twice as long, no.

Along with CT surg, the most stressful situations in medicine I think are surrounding an emergency c-section for fetal distress. Just as stressful as a blown out mitral or cardiogenic shock with an occluded left main. Seriously. Technically, and equally as challenging in the OR setting is surgery/anesthesia on premature infants. Necrotizing Enterocolitis is a perfect example of this.

Anyway, I don't think anyone is bashing anyone. So yes, while I wholeheartedly acknowledge the intensity of CT surg, there are other situations in medicine that are equally as intense. It's actually nice to converse with people who you have a lot in common with. In this case, medicine and a love of cars !!!!

If it aint broke don't fix it....I'll stick with the intensity of an Orthopedic surgeon!

So wait..there is a correlation between lucrative professions and expensive autos..Im shocked..

On a serious note I think the percentages on here are much smaller due to the age of most forum member...which is under 30 yrs of age.. this precludes them from having yet attained post graduate degrees including MDs

yeah, the earliest you can attain a MD would be around age 27-28 I think. I would say the most likely post-grad degree for ppl under 30 would be an MBA.

The anesthesiologists, radiologists, cardiologists, perfusionists, etc that I work with are some of the best and brightest individuals I know and in their field. I have the utmost respect for them. That being said, they can collectively do about ~3% of my job and skillset. Partly due to the fact that my training is 2 times that of a fellow-trained anesthesiologist or cardiologist. We face some of the most stressful situations of any profession (excluding active military) on a routine basis.

Let's stop bashing and just enjoy the fact that we can all usually get out of our (flagrant) speeding tickets.

Id rather say that you have a completely different specialty (albiet very specialized) hence others cant do what you do. Rather then stating that your training was 2 times longer. Last time I check I trained for Six years and CT was not 12. All are different in there own right. I sure as hell could not perform a CABG, MVR or AVR but wouldnt expect a ct surgeon to manage decompensated HF, medically manage arrythmia etc.
FYI not trying to get into a pissing contest as I admit we NEED your skill set, but your comment comes across as a condescending attempt to belittle other specialties.

Id rather say that you have a completely different specialty (albiet very specialized) hence others cant do what you do. Rather then stating that your training was 2 times longer. Last time I check I trained for Six years and CT was not 12. All are different in there own right. I sure as hell could not perform a CABG, MVR or AVR but wouldnt expect a ct surgeon to manage decompensated HF, medically manage arrythmia etc.
FYI not trying to get into a pissing contest as I admit we NEED your skill set, but your comment comes across as a condescending attempt to belittle other specialties.

He's a CTS. I would be shocked at anything other than condescension. If anyone needs me I'll be over in the corner working on a proximal rta.

Id rather say that you have a completely different specialty (albiet very specialized) hence others cant do what you do. Rather then stating that your training was 2 times longer. Last time I check I trained for Six years and CT was not 12. All are different in there own right. I sure as hell could not perform a CABG, MVR or AVR but wouldnt expect a ct surgeon to manage decompensated HF, medically manage arrythmia etc.
FYI not trying to get into a pissing contest as I admit we NEED your skill set, but your comment comes across as a condescending attempt to belittle other specialties.

As challenging as managing decompensated heart failure or an arrhythmia may be, it ultimately involves relying on evidence-based medicine and prescribing medications. Undoubtedly complex but, quite frankly, achievable by a significantly greater proportion of the medical professional population than surgery which involves actual technical skill--dexterity, hand eye coordination, rapid decision-making, etc.

What I find interesting about this poll is that is shows that there is no magic educational level that is required for you to be financially successful. Let's face it, M3s aren't cheap and to own one you must have obtained some level of financial success in your life (assuming that you purchased your own vehicle).

Case in point, I have a family member who has their own successful business and today is reaping the rewards of 20 plus years of hard work, earning an annual 7 figure income. This person partied like a rock star in high school and was on the fast track to living out of a 40 year old mobile home in the middle of the desert. A few years out of high school this person was forced to step up and take on some real responsibility in a family business. They stepped up to this challenge and 20 years later the business is stronger than ever. This is a smart person who has achieved financial success with only a high school degree.

This does not discount the value of learning (time and time again it has been shown that education provides additional opportunities for financial success), but rather shows once again that it is not required to be financially successful.

Smarts, no matter how you get them, coupled with hard work and a bit of good fortune, can get you a long way in this world.

He's a CTS. I would be shocked at anything other than condescension. If anyone needs me I'll be over in the corner working on a proximal rta.

So true. He's posturing and acting defensive, as his profession is going down the toilet and his patients are going to invasive cards and IR .

He doesn't even mention that subspecialties like EP and invasive cardiology take 6-7 years of postgraduate education, so unless he has been training for a decade and a half after medical school, his math is off, too.